Only Her- ON HOLD

Chapter 7.

"Is your brother prepared to take on your role of future Alpha in your place?" Guilt stabbed into my heart knowing Theo's way of life was about to change. I knew he'd have been equally prepared for it just in case as I had. But there's something different about being prepared for it, and it becoming your reality.

Noah nodded, giving a small smile. "He will be fine. He's been training by my side our whole lives. He's young, but that will be ok."

"What was it like growing up here? It really is beautiful."

A slow smile crept up his lips and his eyes brightened. "I loved every minute of it. I'll never forget my first shift. I'd run for hours through these woods and up and down the rolling hills around us before ending in the lake. It was complete freedom. There's nothing like it."

I sat up straighter against the post as he finished, curiosity getting the better of me. "I love hearing this. What was it like? I've always been so curious about shifting. I've seen it hundreds of times, but I know it isn't the same as experiencing it for yourself. It's so amazing to watch."

He leaned forward, smirking up at me. "Why? You wish you could shift?"

I nodded and smiled. "I do. It's really not fair that females don't shift. I don't get it. I hate that I can't experience that."

He let out a low laugh. "I'm inclined to agree. Could you imagine if we had a full pack that shifted completely? I've always wondered that myself, but it's just how we are. I've never known of a female to shift. Although..." He paused to think and I scooted closer to him, pressing my hand onto his before yanking it away quickly.

"What?" I asked as I caught myself.

"Well, there was a legend we'd been told when we were growing up, but my father quieted it pretty soon after it started circulating."

I was brimming with curiosity. "Noah, just tell me already."

He smirked at me and his eyes met mine playfully. "Ok, ok. Calm down." I pursed my lips and sat waiting for him to continue. "Well, supposedly there was a shewolf who'd left her pack and shifted alone in the woods. This was unheard of because shewolves have only ever been carriers with heightened senses. She was the only one of her kind and was supposedly hunting more like her to build her own pack. But my father quickly silenced it, not wanting to encourage any of our more curious shewolves to go out on a wild goose chase, leaving the pack.

"How could I have not heard of this? A shewolf pack?" My eyes widened and I tried to process what that would mean. Was this even possible? How many more could there be? How did she find them?

He shook his head before continuing. "It went around only briefly before my father silenced it. I must have only been four or five at the time, but I remember the story. No one mentioned it after that. I honestly hadn't thought about it until now."

"That's incredible. I wish it were true. Could you imagine a pack of badass shewolves out there somewhere?"

He laughed and leaned forward, winking a deep blue eye at me. "I'm sure you'd be first in line if they came calling."

I smiled and nodded. "In a heartbeat."

I looked up to the clock and saw that it was well past ten by now. I'd need to get some sleep soon, but that would be difficult with stories of rogue shewolves dancing through my head.

Noah sensed my change and leaned forward to stand. "Thank you for taking a moment to talk to me Dani. I just felt like we needed to clear the air and get to know each other a little more. I won't have the chance tomorrow night with the full moon, but I'll do my best to make the time before. We will have to figure this out sooner rather than later."